Page 210 - Showsight April 2013

over-feeing a puppy into too-rapid growth,
may be partially to blame as well, especial-
ly if a genetic tendency is present. Injury to
the joint might also be a cause. Depending
upon the age of the dog, the actual cause,
and the severity of the symptoms, treat-
ment can include modalities ranging from
anti-inflammatories medications up to
surgery. According to the latest OFA statis-
tics (2012), with 217 Staffords having been
evaluated using elbow x-rays, 16.6% of
these Staffords have elbow dysplasia, while
82.9% are rated as having normal elbows.
Hereditary (Juvenile) Cataract
Hereditary (Juvenile) Cataract is a
hereditary condition that causes an opac-
ity or cloudiness to develop in the lens
of a dog’s eyes at a relatively early age.
Although the eyes are normal at birth,
bilateral cataracts form usually by several
months of age. This condition often pro-
gresses rapidly, leading to total blindness
by three years of age. Surgery (canine lens
extraction using phacoemulsification) can
be used to restore sight to the affected dog;
however, it has only a 75% long term suc-
cess rate in restoring useful vision. Heredi-
tary cataract is now known to be transmit-
ted by means of an autosomal recessive
mode of inheritance. A simple DNA test,
using a small sample of the dog’s blood, is
now available which will identify carriers,
clears, and affecteds for this condition in
the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. A dog who
is a carrier has one copy of the mutated
gene, but does not itself show signs of the
disease. The affected dog has both mutated
copies of the gene and develops cataracts,
while the clear dog has two normal genes.
A carrier, if bred to another carrier, will
produce on average one affected puppy,
two carriers, and one clear puppy for every
four puppies produced. By using the new
DNA test, breeders can test their breed-
ing stock, and, based upon this test, breed
appropriately to prevent affected puppies
from being produced. With limited testing
in the U.S. approximately 8% of all U.S.
Staffords tested for Hereditary Cataract
have been shown to be carriers when this
test was first widely introduced in 2007.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a crippling condition
in which laxness in the hip joint causes
premature breakdown of the cartilage
lining, leading to arthritis. The tendency
to hip dysplasia can be passed on from
one generation to the next; researchers
believe that it is a polygenic-based disor-
der, having more than one causative gene.
Symptoms may include difficulty jump-
ing or using stairs; unusual stiffness after
exercise; and a peculiar “bunny-hopping”
gait. While there is a strong hereditary
component to this affliction, many believe
environmental factors, such as overfeed-
ing leading to too-rapid growth in pup-
pies, can cause the condition to progress
much more rapidly if a genetic tendency is
already present. Often, the effects of mild
hip dysplasia are not seen until the dog is
middle-age or older, and can be managed
by weight control and anti-inflammatory
medications. Occasionally, however, pup-
pies and young dogs can show symptoms
of hip dysplasia which are rapidly pro-
gressive and crippling; special surgical
techniques have been developed for these
dogs to help them lead a more normal and
pain-free life. According to the latest OFA
statistics (2012), with 577 Staffords hav-
ing been evaluated using hip x-rays, 17.2%
are rated abnormal (dysplastic), and 80.4%
have both hips graded normal. Since this
is at least partially a hereditary condition,
careful breeding will reduce its incidence
in a breed over time. If both parents have
normal hips, there is a lessened possibility
for one or more puppies in a litter to be
later rated dysplastic.
L-2-Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria
(L-2-HGA)
L-2-HGA is a metabolic condition of
Staffordshire Bull Terriers in which affect-
ed dogs lack an enzyme to properly break
down a metabolic byproduct, an organic
acid, L-2-hydroxyglutaric acid. This com-
pound then builds up in the cerebrospi-
nal fluid and plasma of the affected dogs,
causing the symptoms of this illness. Cen-
tral nervous system symptoms include
lack of coordination, tremors, personality
disorders, poor learning abilities, and sei-
zures. These affected dogs usually excrete
high levels of the compound in their
urine, hence the term “aciduria”. Unfor-
tunately, treatment is entirely symptom-
atic; there is no cure. Affected dogs often
must be euthanized at an early age, and
even the more mildly affected will never
behave like a “normal dog.” L-2-HGA is
now known to be transmitted by means
of an autosomal recessive mode of inheri-
tance. A simple DNA test, using a small
sample of the dog’s blood, is now available
which will identify carriers, clears, and
affecteds for this condition in the Staf-
fordshire Bull Terrier. A dog who is a car-
rier has one copy of the mutated gene, but
does not itself show signs of the disease.
The affected dog has both mutated cop-
ies of the gene and develops L-2-HGA,
while the clear dog has two normal genes.
A carrier, if bred to another carrier, will
produce on average one affected puppy,
two carriers, and one clear puppy for
“...with 577 Staffords having been evaluated using hip x-rays,
17.2% ARE RATED ABnORmAL (DySpLASTIC),
AnD 80.4% HAvE BOTH HIpS gRADED nORmAL.”
210 • ShowSight Magazine, April 2013